Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement; Area Risk Protection Insurance Regulations; and Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions, 30857-30862 [2019-13686]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30857-30862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13686]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2019 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 30857]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

7 CFR Part 402, 407, and 457

[Docket No. FCIC-19-0002]
RIN 0563-AC61


Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement; Area Risk Protection 
Insurance Regulations; and Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic 
Provisions

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the 
Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, the Area Risk Protection 
Insurance (ARPI) Basic Provisions, and the Common Crop Insurance Policy 
(CCIP) Basic Provisions to implement the changes mandated by the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly referred to as the 2018 
Farm Bill). This rule revises the provisions regarding the catastrophic 
administrative fee, actual production history (APH) yield, crop 
production on native sod, and the definition of veteran farmer or 
rancher. In addition to the 2018 Farm Bill required changes, FCIC is 
changing provisions for premium offsets, electronic delivery of policy 
changes, and assigned yields. The changes to the policy made in this 
rule are applicable for the 2020 crop year for crops with a contract 
change date on or after June 30, 2019. For all crops the changes to the 
policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2021 and succeeding 
crop years.

DATES: 
    Effective: This final rule is effective June 30, 2019.
    Comment Date: We will consider comments that we receive on this 
rule by the close of business August 27, 2019. FCIC will consider these 
comments and make changes to the rule if warranted in a subsequent 
rulemaking.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this rule. In your 
comments, include the date, volume, and page number of this issue of 
the Federal Register, and the title of rule. You may submit comments by 
any of the following methods, although FCIC prefers that you submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID FCIC-19-0002. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Director, Product Administration and Standards 
Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of 
Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.
    All comments received, including those received by mail, will be 
posted without change and publicly available on https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francie Tolle; telephone (816) 926-
7730; email [email protected]. Persons with disabilities who 
require alternative means of communication should contact the USDA 
Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Risk Management Agency (RMA) and FCIC (terms used 
interchangeably) serve America's agricultural producers through 
effective, market-based risk management tools to strengthen the 
economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities. RMA 
is committed to increasing the availability and effectiveness of 
Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool. Approved Insurance 
Providers (AIP) sell and service Federal crop insurance policies in 
every state and in Puerto Rico through a public-private partnership 
with RMA. RMA reinsures the AIPs who share the risks associated with 
catastrophic losses due to major weather events. RMA's vision is to 
secure the future of agriculture by providing world class risk 
management tools to rural America.
    Federal crop insurance policies typically consist of the Basic 
Provisions, the Crop Provisions, the Special Provisions, the Commodity 
Exchange Price Provisions, if applicable, other applicable endorsements 
or options, the actuarial documents for the insured agricultural 
commodity, the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, if applicable, 
and the applicable regulations published in 7 CFR chapter IV.
    FCIC amends the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, the Area 
Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) Basic Provisions, and the Common Crop 
Insurance Policy (CCIP) Basic Provisions to implement the changes 
mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 115-334). The changes to the 
policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2020 crop year for 
crops with a contract change date on or after June 30, 2019. For all 
crops the changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for 
the 2021 and succeeding crop years.

Listening Session

    On February 14, 2019, the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and RMA published a notice in 
the Federal Register (84 FR 4041-4044) announcing a listening session 
for initial public input on the changes to existing programs 
implemented by the agencies. The purpose of the listening session was 
for each agency to take into account stakeholder input when making 
discretionary decisions on program implementation. The agencies also 
announced an opportunity for the public to make written statements 
through March 1, 2019. The listening session was held on February 26, 
2019. The Commodity, Credit, and Crop Insurance titles, and parts of 
the Conservation, Energy, and Miscellaneous titles were covered during 
the listening session.
    FSA, NRCS, and RMA received 183 written comments from individuals, 
trade groups, other organizations, and State entities. All written 
comments are available to the public for review at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USDA-2019-0001-0001. In addition to 
program-specific comments, there were recurring overarching comments 
about placing a priority on information sharing between agencies for 
data collection regarding soil health and conservation practices. The 
issue raised in comments about native sod are discussed below in the 
section on the

[[Page 30858]]

native sod changes. Comments included suggestions for the 
commercialization of industrial hemp, further research of industrial 
hemp, and the need to implement the 2018 Farm Bill quickly for the 
industrial hemp industry to thrive.
    Statements regarding RMA issues outside the scope of this rule that 
are not addressed include those about Whole Farm Revenue Protection, 
yield data for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage 
(PLC) programs, Dairy Margin Coverage and Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy 
programs, specialty crop insurance, and the USDA interagency workgroup 
for cover crops. While not related to this rule, the comments will be 
considered by RMA when implementing 2018 Farm Bill sections that do not 
require regulatory changes.
    In general, RMA related listening session comments focused on the 
timing of when the 2018 Farm Bill requirements would go into effect. 
RMA was urged to issue rules and information as quickly as possible.

Mandatory Farm Bill Provisions

    Provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill that require revisions in the FCIC 
regulations are discussed below.

Administrative Fee Changes

    Section 11110 of the 2018 Farm Bill increased the Catastrophic Risk 
Protection Endorsement Administrative Fee from $300 to $655. The 
Federal Crop Insurance Act mandates that FCIC offer a catastrophic risk 
protection plan to indemnify producers for crop loss due to loss of 
yield or prevented planting when the producer is unable to plant other 
crops for harvest on the acreage for the crop year due to drought, 
flood, or other natural disaster. Catastrophic risk protection offers a 
producer coverage for a 50 percent loss in yield, on an individual 
yield or area yield basis, indemnified at 55 percent of the expected 
market price. FCIC will pay a premium subsidy equal to the premium 
established for the coverage provided under this endorsement. However, 
producers will pay an administrative fee of $655 for each crop in the 
county unless otherwise specified in the Special Provisions. The 
administrative fee will be updated in the regulation in 7 CFR 402.4, in 
section 6(b).

APH Cup Option

    Section 11112 of the 2018 Farm Bill added the regulatory authority 
to provide producers with an election to limit the decrease in APH to 
not more than 10 percent of the prior crop year's APH (cup), provided 
that the production decline was the result of drought, flood, natural 
disaster, or other insurable loss; and that FCIC establish actuarially 
sound premiums to cover the additional risk. The cup option was 
implemented procedurally in FCIC--18010 Crop Insurance Handbook on 
December 2017 for 2018 crops with a Contract Change Date of November 
30, 2017, or later.
    FCIC is adding the cup option in 7 CFR 457.8 section 36(c) in the 
CCIP Basic Provisions.

Crop Production on Native Sod

    Section 11114 of the 2018 Farm Bill revised the crop production on 
native sod provisions related to crop insurance. Most provisions (such 
as the penalties, de minimis acreage, applicable States) for native sod 
from the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79, 2014 Farm Bill) 
remain the same. The 2014 Farm Bill provisions were in effect for 
native sod acreage tilled from February 8, 2014, until December 20, 
2018, which was the duration of the 2014 Farm Bill. For native sod 
acreage tilled after the date of enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, the 
native sod reduction in benefits will apply to any insurable crop 
instead of only to annual crops. The reductions will apply for 4 
cumulative crop years on the acreage when a crop is insured, with a 
limitation of the first 10 years after initial tillage of the acreage. 
This means that if the acreage has not met the 4 cumulative crop years 
of an insured crop on the acreage within 10 crop years after initially 
tilling the native sod acreage, after the 10th crop year the acreage is 
no longer subject to the native sod reduction in benefits.
    FCIC is revising the definition of ``tilled'' in the regulation in 
7 CFR 407.9 in section 1 and in 7 CFR 457.8 in section 1 to remove the 
reference to ``annual crops'' as the native sod provisions are now 
applicable to any insurable crop rather than just annual crops. FCIC is 
revising 7 CFR 407.9 section 5(d) and adding a new section 5(f) and 7 
CFR 457.8 section 9(e) and adding a new section 9(g) to specify the 
section applies to native sod acreage that has been tilled and planted 
during the timeframe of the 2014 Farm Bill until that native sod 
acreage has reached 4 crop years of planting. The changes also specify 
the section applies to native sod acreage that has been tilled and 
planted to an insured crop during 4 cumulative crop years within the 
first 10 crop years after initial tillage on native sod acreage 
beginning after December 20, 2018 (the date of enactment of the 2018 
Farm Bill).

Veteran Farmers or Ranchers

    Section 12306 of the 2018 Farm Bill added a definition of ``veteran 
farmers or ranchers'' to the Federal Crop Insurance Act and provided 
for veteran farmers or ranchers to receive the same benefits as 
beginning farmers or ranchers. The definition of ``veteran farmers or 
ranchers'' is being added in the regulation in 7 CFR 407.9 in section 1 
and in 7 CFR 457.8 in section 1. The benefits for a veteran farmer or 
rancher include:
     Waiving all CAT and additional coverage policy's 
administrative fees as added in the regulation in 7 CFR 402.4 section 
6(c), 7 CFR 407.9 section 7(a)(6)(i), and 7 CFR 457.8 section 
7(e)(4)(i);
     Providing additional premium subsidy 10 percentage points 
greater than the premium subsidy identified in the actuarial documents 
as added in the regulation in 7 CFR 407.9 section 7(h) and 7 CFR 457.8 
section 7(g);
     Allowing use of another person's production history of the 
specific acreage transferred to the veteran farmer or rancher where the 
veteran farmer or rancher was previously involved in the decision 
making or physical activities of a farm or ranch operation insured 
under CCIP Basic Provisions policies, specifically, FCIC is revising 7 
CFR 457.8 section 3(l) to add that notwithstanding any other provision 
in section 3, if the insured is a veteran farmer or rancher who was 
previously involved in a farming or ranching operation, including 
involvement in the decision-making or physical involvement in the 
production of the crop or livestock on the farm, for any acreage 
obtained by the veteran farmer or rancher, the veteran farmer or 
rancher will receive a yield that is the higher of:
    [cir] The actual production history of the previous producer of the 
crop or livestock on the acreage in which the veteran farmer or rancher 
was involved; or
    [cir] The applicable transitional yield (T-yield) of the veteran 
farmer or rancher; and
     Increasing, from 60 to 80 percent of the applicable T-
yield, in the substituted yield for yield adjustment when replacing a 
low actual yield due to an insured cause of loss under CCIP Basic 
Provisions policies as specified in 7 CFR 457.8 section 36(a)(2).

Additional Changes

    In addition to changes statutorily mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill 
mentioned above, FCIC is making discretionary changes to the ARPI Basic 
Provisions and CCIP Basic Provisions. These changes are described 
below.

[[Page 30859]]

    The changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for the 
2020 crop year for crops with a contract change date on or after June 
30, 2019. For all crops the changes to the policy made in this rule are 
applicable for the 2021 and succeeding crop years.
    The additional changes to the ARPI Basic Provisions (7 CFR part 
407) and the CCIP Basic Provisions (7 CFR part 457) are as follows:
    FCIC is revising 7 CFR 407.9 section 2(j) of the ARPI Basic 
Provisions and 7 CFR 457.8 section 2(e) of the CCIP Basic Provisions to 
clarify the provision is only applicable to another crop policy with 
unbilled administrative fees and premium and that loss credits must 
first be applied to the policy and crop with the associated claim.
    FCIC published a final rule on November 24, 2017, (82 FR 55723-
55734) that revised section 2(j) of the ARPI Basic Provisions and 
section 2(e) of the CCIP Basic Provisions to clarify that with the 
policyholder's consent the premium and administrative fees can be 
offset from any prevented planting or indemnity due the policyholder 
even if the offset occurs before the fees are billed. That allowed 
insurance providers the latitude to contact the policyholder and 
inquire as to whether the policyholder would agree to have the 
``unbilled'' administrative fees and premium offset from the remaining 
amount of the loss. In response to the 2017 final rule, FCIC received 
input from the industry.
    Industry input: Comments FCIC received suggested the rule reversed 
the longstanding position of allowing pre-billing date claim offsets 
without consent for the same crop. AIPs stated the industry has 
consistently taken the view that a policyholder's consent is not 
required in order to perform a claim offset prior to the billing date 
for the same crop. Additionally, AIPs raised concerns that if consent 
is required for the same (or any) crop to offset premium, the insured 
could push to have the claim paid prior to the billing date and file 
for bankruptcy after the claim is paid, which could prevent AIPs from 
collecting the premium for the same crop on which it had just paid out 
a claim.
    Response: The provision as currently written could have unintended 
consequences that could negatively impact producers if we interpret 
this provision as consent is required for the same (or any) crop to 
offset premium. This is because the producers have an expectation that 
their premium will be automatically offset from indemnities for the 
same crop and may not anticipate paying premium when it is due. If 
premium is not received timely, producers are placed on the Ineligible 
Tracking System, which is an electronic system to identify persons who 
are ineligible to participate in any program as specified in 7 CFR part 
400, subpart U.
    Therefore, FCIC is revising the provisions as only applicable to 
another crop policy with unbilled administrative fees or premium and 
that loss credits must first be applied to the policy or crop with the 
associated claim.
    The specific changes to the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, 
Basic Provisions (7 CFR part 457) are as follows:
    FCIC is revising the provisions in sections 3(f) and (g) regarding 
assigned yields. The industry has expressed concern regarding assigned 
yields applying to all units of the crop policy. The assigned yield is 
a policy-level penalty that occurs when an insured's supporting 
production records do not match their production certification even 
when the error only applies to one, or an isolated number of actual 
production history databases.
    Currently, an assigned yield reduces an insured's annual yields for 
the entire crop year, for all units on the policy, to an assigned yield 
when any annual yield certified by the insured is incorrect. The 
assigned yield will not exceed 75 percent of the insured's prior year's 
approved yield. FCIC is revising the language to limit the assigned 
yield penalty to only those basic unit(s) effected by the incorrect 
certification.
    FCIC is revising section 3(g)(2) to allow an insured to correct, 
without penalty, inadvertent errors when certifying production. 
Inadvertent errors include clear numerical transpositions and similar 
errors made by an insured when certifying their production reports. 
There are existing regulatory exceptions for inadvertent errors made by 
an insured for the application, as well as, exceptions for errors made 
by USDA or AIPs for production reporting. This change also allows an 
exception for inadvertent producer errors that occur when a producer 
certifies their production reports.
    FCIC is adding a new section 4(d) and revising section 33 to allow 
that when changes are made to the policy provisions, AIPs will send the 
changes electronically to the policyholder rather than as a hard copy. 
Currently a policyholder may individually elect to receive these 
documents electronically. FCIC is revising the provisions to state all 
policy provisions, notices, and communications required to be sent by 
the AIP to the policyholder will be provided by electronic means, 
unless the AIP does not have the ability to transmit such information 
to the policyholder by electronic means or the policyholder elects to 
receive a paper copy of such information. Therefore, FCIC is adding a 
new section 4(d) to specify that not later than 30 days prior to the 
cancellation date for the insured crop that the policyholder will be 
provided, in accordance with section 33, a copy of the changes to the 
Basic Provisions, Crop Provisions, Commodity Exchange Price Provisions, 
if applicable, and Special Provisions. In addition, FCIC is adding a 
new section 4(e) to specify that acceptance of the changes will be 
conclusively presumed in the absence of notice from the policyholder to 
change or cancel insurance coverage. FCIC will also make changes 
accordingly to the notices required in section 33. These changes will 
reduce the burden of excess distribution of paper policy materials 
while still allowing policyholders the option to elect to receive a 
paper copy.
    FCIC is removing the provisions in section 5 regarding exclusion of 
yields and moving the provisions to section 36 of the revised CCIP 
Basic Provisions.
    Because of the various changes to section 36, FCIC is changing the 
section heading to ``Changes to Yields'' as this section will now 
contain provisions regarding substitution of yields, exclusion of 
yields, and yield cups. FCIC is moving the provisions regarding 
exclusion of yields that were previously contained in section 5 to 
section 36(b).

Effective Date and Notice and Comment

    In general, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA, 5 U.S.C. 553) 
requires that a notice of proposed rulemaking be published in the 
Federal Register for interested persons to be given an opportunity to 
participate in the rulemaking through submission of written data, 
views, or arguments with or without opportunity for oral presentation 
and requires a 30-day delay in the effective date of rules, except when 
the rule involves a matter relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits, or contracts. This rule involves matters relating to 
contracts and therefore the requirements in section 553 do not apply.
    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) normally requires that an agency delay the effective date of a 
major rule for 60 days from the date of publication to allow for 
Congressional review. This rule is not a major rule under SBREFA (Pub. 
L. 104-121). Therefore, RMA is not required to delay the effective date 
for 60 days from the

[[Page 30860]]

date of publication to allow for Congressional review.
    This final rule is effective June 30, 2019. Although not required 
by APA, RMA has chosen to request comments on this rule.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, 13771 and 13777

    Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' 
direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available 
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select 
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive 
impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasized the importance 
of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of 
harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13777, 
``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' established a federal 
policy to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens on the American 
people.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated this rule as 
not significant under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review,'' and therefore, OMB has not reviewed this rule.
    Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs,'' requires that in order to manage the private costs 
required to comply with Federal regulations that for every new 
significant or economically significant regulation issued, the new 
costs must be offset by the elimination of at least two prior 
regulations. As this rule is designated as not significant, it is not 
subject to Executive Order 13771.

Clarity of the Regulation

    Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, 
requires each agency to write all rules in plain language. In addition 
to your substantive comments on this rule, we invite your comments on 
how to make the rule easier to understand. For example:
     Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? Are the 
scope and intent of the rule clear?
     Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that is 
not clear?
     Is the material logically organized?
     Would changing the grouping or order of sections or adding 
headings make the rule easier to understand?
     Could we improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or 
diagrams?
     Would more, but shorter, sections be better? Are there 
specific sections that are too long or confusing?
     What else could we do to make the rule easier to 
understand?

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by 
SBREFA, generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory analysis 
of any rule whenever an agency is required by APA or any other law to 
publish a proposed rule, unless the agency certifies that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
because as noted above, this rule is exempt from APA and no other law 
requires that a proposed rule be published for this rulemaking 
initiative.

Environmental Review

    In general, the environmental impacts of rules are to be considered 
in a manner consistent with the provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and the 
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508). FCIC conducts programs and activities that have been determined 
to have no individual or cumulative effect on the human environment. As 
specified in 7 CFR 1b.4, FCIC is categorically excluded from the 
preparation of an Environmental Analysis or Environmental Impact 
Statement unless the FCIC Manager (agency head) determines that an 
action may have a significant environmental effect. The FCIC Manager 
has determined this rule will not have a significant environmental 
effect. Therefore, FCIC will not prepare an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement for this action and this rule serves as 
documentation of the programmatic environmental compliance decision.

Executive Order 12372

    Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' requires consultation with State and local officials that 
would be directly affected by proposed Federal financial assistance. 
The objectives of the Executive Order are to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened Federalism, by relying 
on State and local processes for State and local government 
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and 
direct Federal development. For reasons specified in the final rule 
related notice regarding 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 
24, 1983), the programs and activities in this rule are excluded from 
the scope of Executive Order 12372.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform.'' This rule will not preempt State or local laws, 
regulations, or policies unless they represent an irreconcilable 
conflict with this rule. Before any judicial actions may be brought 
regarding the provisions of this rule, the administrative appeal 
provisions of 7 CFR part 11 are to be exhausted.

Executive Order 13132

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132, 
``Federalism.'' The policies contained in this rule do not have any 
substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the 
Federal government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, except as 
required by law. Nor does this rule impose substantial direct 
compliance costs on State and local governments. Therefore, 
consultation with the States is not required.

Executive Order 13175

    This rule has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribal Governments.'' Executive Order 13175 requires Federal agencies 
to consult and coordinate with Tribes on a government-to-government 
basis on policies that have Tribal implications, including regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian Tribes or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
    FCIC has assessed the impact of this rule on Indian Tribes and 
determined that this rule does not, to our knowledge, have Tribal 
implications that require Tribal consultation under E.O. 13175. The 
regulation changes do not have Tribal implications that preempt Tribal 
law and are not expected have a substantial direct effect on one or 
more Indian Tribes. If a Tribe requests consultation, FCIC will work 
with the USDA Office of Tribal Relations to ensure meaningful 
consultation is provided where changes and additions identified in this 
rule are not expressly mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill.

[[Page 30861]]

Unfunded Mandates

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA, Pub. L. 
104-4) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their 
regulatory actions of State, local, and Tribal governments or the 
private sector. Agencies generally must prepare a written statement, 
including cost benefits analysis, for proposed and final rules with 
Federal mandates that may result in expenditures of $100 million or 
more in any 1 year for State, local or Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or to the private sector. UMRA generally requires agencies 
to consider alternatives and adopt the more cost effective or least 
burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. This 
rule contains no Federal mandates, as defined in Title II of UMRA, for 
State, local, and Tribal governments or the private sector. Therefore, 
this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of 
UMRA.

Federal Assistance Program

    The title and number of the Federal Domestic Assistance Program 
listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance to which this rule 
applies is No. 10.450--Crop Insurance.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    In accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, subchapter I), the rule does not change the 
information collection approved by OMB under control numbers 0563-0053 
and 0563-0083.

E-Government Act Compliance

    FCIC is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to 
promote the use of the internet and other information technologies to 
provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 402

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Crop insurance, 
Disaster assistance, Fraud, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

7 CFR Part 407

    Acreage allotments, Administrative practice and procedure, Barley, 
Corn, Cotton, Crop insurance, Peanuts, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat.

7 CFR Part 457

    Acreage allotments, Crop insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Final Rule

    For the reasons discussed above, FCIC amends 7 CFR parts 402, 407, 
and 457, effective for the 2020 crop year for crops with a contract 
change date on or after June 30, 2019, and for the 2021 and succeeding 
crop years for all other crops, as follows:

PART 402--CATASTROPHIC RISK PROTECTION ENDORSEMENT

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 402 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1506(l) and 1506(o).


0
2. Amend Sec.  402.4, section 6 as follows:
0
A. In paragraph (b)(1), remove ``$300'' and add ``$655'' in its place; 
and
0
B. In paragraph (c), remove the words and punctuation ``rancher'' or 
a'' and add the words and punctuation ``rancher,'' ``veteran farmer or 
rancher,'' or'' in their place.

PART 407--AREA RISK PROTECTION INSURANCE REGULATIONS

0
3. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 407 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1506(l) and 1506(o).


0
4. Amend Sec.  407.9 as follows:
0
A. Amend section 1 as follows:
0
i. In the definition of ``tilled'', remove ``an annual crop'' and add 
``a crop'' in their place; and
0
ii. Add the definition of ``veteran farmer or rancher'' in alphabetical 
order;
0
B. Amend section 2 as follows:
0
i. In paragraph (j) introductory text, remove ``due'' and add ``owed'' 
in its place in the first instance where the word occurs in the 
paragraph;
0
ii. Remove paragraph (j)(2); and
0
iii. Redesignate paragraph (j)(3) as paragraph (j)(2);
0
C. Amend section 5 as follows:
0
i. Revise paragraph (d), introductory text; and
0
ii. Add paragraph (f);
0
D. Amend section 7 as follows:
0
i. In paragraph (a)(6)(i), add ``, or veteran farmer or rancher'' at 
the end of the sentence; and
0
ii. In paragraph (h), remove ``rancher, your'' and add ``rancher, or 
veteran farmer or rancher, your'' in their place;
    The revisions and additions read in part as follows:


Sec.  407.9  Area risk protection insurance policy.

* * * * *
1. Definitions
* * * * *
    Veteran farmer or rancher. An individual who has served on active 
duty in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and 
Coast Guard, including the reserve components, was discharged or 
released under conditions other than dishonorable, and:
    (1) Has not operated a farm or ranch;
    (2) Has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 5 years; or
    (3) First obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 5-
year period.
    A person, other than an individual, may be eligible for veteran 
farmer or rancher benefits if all substantial beneficial interest 
holders qualify as a veteran farmer or rancher. A spouse's veteran 
status does not impact whether an individual is considered a veteran 
farmer or rancher.
* * * * *
5. Insurable Acreage
* * * * *
    (d) Except as provided in section 5(e), and in accordance with 
section 5(f), in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, 
North Dakota, or South Dakota, native sod acreage may be insured if the 
requirements of section 5(a) have been met but will:
* * * * *
    (f) Section 5(d) is applicable during the first 4 crop years of 
planting on native sod acreage that has been tilled beginning on 
February 8, 2014, and ending on December 20, 2018. Section 5(d) is 
applicable during 4 cumulative crop years of insurance within the first 
10 crop years after initial tillage on native sod acreage tilled after 
December 20, 2018.

PART 457--COMMON CROP INSURANCE REGULATIONS

0
5. The authority citation for part 457 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1506(l) and 1506(o).


0
6. Amend Sec.  457.8 as follows:
0
A. Amend section 1 as follows:
0
i. In the definition of ``tilled,'' remove ``an annual crop'' and add 
``a crop'' in its place;
0
ii. Add the definition of ``veteran farmer or rancher'' in alphabetical 
order;
0
B. Amend section 2 as follows:
0
i. In paragraph (e) introductory text, remove ``due'' and add ``owed'' 
in its place in the first instance where the word occurs;
0
ii. Remove paragraph (e)(2); and
0
iii. Redesignate paragraph (e)(3) as paragraph (e)(2);
0
C. Amend section 3 as follows:

[[Page 30862]]

0
i. In paragraph (f)(1), remove ``for the previous crop year'' in the 
first sentence;
0
ii. In paragraph (g)(2)(i) remove ``or'';
0
iii. Revise paragraph (g)(2)(ii);
0
iv. Add paragraph (g)(2)(iii);
0
v. Revise paragraphs (g)(3) and (g)(4)(i); and
0
vi. In paragraph (l), remove the word ``rancher'' and add ``rancher, or 
veteran farmer or rancher'' in its place;
0
D. Amend section 4 as follows:
0
i. Revise paragraph (d); and
0
ii. Add paragraph (e);
0
E. Remove and reserve section 5;
0
F. Amend section 7 as follows:
0
i. In paragraph (e)(4)(i), remove the word ``rancher'' and add 
``rancher, or veteran farmer or rancher'' in its place; and
0
ii. In paragraph (g), remove the word ``rancher'' and add ``rancher, or 
veteran farmer or rancher,'' in its place;
0
G. Amend section 9 as follows:
0
i. Revise paragraph (e), introductory text; and
0
ii. Add paragraph (g);
0
H. Amend section 33 as follows:
0
i. Revise paragraph (b);
0
I. Amend section 36 as follows:
0
 i. Revise the heading;
0
ii. Redesignate paragraphs (b) through (e) as paragraphs (a)(1) through 
(4);
0
iii. In newly redesignated paragraph (a)(2), remove ``rancher'' and add 
``rancher, or veteran farmer or rancher'' in its place; and
0
iv. Add new paragraphs (b) and (c).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  457.8   The application and policy.

* * * * *

Common Crop Insurance Policy

* * * * *
1. Definitions
* * * * *
    Veteran farmer or rancher. An individual who has served active duty 
in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast 
Guard, including the reserve components, was discharged or released 
under conditions other than dishonorable, and:
    (1) Has not operated a farm or ranch;
    (2) Has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 5 years; or
    (3) First obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 5-
year period.
    A person, other than an individual, may be eligible for veteran 
farmer or rancher benefits if all substantial beneficial interest 
holders qualify as a veteran farmer or rancher. A spouse's veteran 
status does not impact whether an individual is considered a veteran 
farmer or rancher.
* * * * *
    3. Insurance Guarantees, Coverage Levels, and Prices
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Because the incorrect information was determined to be 
inadvertently reported by you (Simply stating the error was inadvertent 
is not sufficient to prove the error was inadvertent); or
    (iii) Because the incorrect information was the result of our error 
or the error of someone from USDA.
    (3) If you do not have written verifiable records to support the 
information you certified on your production report, you will receive 
an assigned yield in accordance with section 3(f)(1) and 7 CFR part 
400, subpart G, for the applicable units, determined by us, for those 
crop years for which you do not have such records. If the conditions of 
section 34(c)(3) are not met, you will receive an assigned yield for 
the applicable basic unit.
    (4) * * *
    (i) We will correct your approved yield, in accordance with FCIC 
procedure, by assigning a yield or by using the yield we determine to 
be correct, for the crop year such information is not correct, and all 
subsequent crop years;
* * * * *
4. Contract Changes
* * * * *
    (d) Not later than 30 days prior to the cancellation date for the 
insured crop you will be provided, in accordance with section 33, a 
copy of the changes to the Basic Provisions, Crop Provisions, Commodity 
Exchange Price Provisions, if applicable, and Special Provisions.
    (e) Acceptance of the changes will be conclusively presumed in the 
absence of notice from you to change or cancel your insurance coverage.
* * * * *
9. Insurable Acreage
* * * * *
    (e) Except as provided in section 9(f), and in accordance with 
section 9(g), in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, 
North Dakota, or South Dakota, native sod acreage may be insured if the 
requirements of section 9(a) have been met but will:
* * * * *
    (g) Section 9(e) is applicable during the first 4 crop years of 
planting on native sod acreage that has been tilled beginning on 
February 8, 2014, and ending on December 20, 2018. Section 9(e) is 
applicable during 4 cumulative crop years of insurance within the first 
10 crop years after initial tillage on native sod acreage tilled after 
December 20, 2018.
* * * * *
33. Notices
* * * * *
    (b) All policy provisions, notices, and communications that we send 
to you will be:
    (1) Provided by electronic means, unless:
    (i) We do not have the ability to transmit such information to you 
by electronic means; or
    (ii) You elect to receive a paper copy of such information;
    (2) Sent to the location specified in your records with your crop 
insurance agent; and
    (3) Will be conclusively presumed to have been received by you.
* * * * *
36. Changes to Yields
* * * * *
    (b) If provided in the actuarial documents, you may elect to 
exclude any actual yield for any crop year when FCIC determines for a 
county, or its contiguous counties, the per planted acre yield was at 
least 50 percent below the simple average of the per planted acre yield 
for the crop in the county for the previous 10 consecutive crop years.
    (c) If provided in the actuarial documents, you may elect to limit 
a reduction to the approved APH yield to a maximum decline of 10 
percent of the previous crop year's approved APH yield when such 
reduction is due to a decline in production resulting from a natural 
disaster or other insurable loss, as provided in FCIC procedures.

Martin R. Barbre,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2019-13686 Filed 6-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-08-P